Cute MIRABrand Food Storage Ideas & Giveaway

Since I often pack my own meals, I go through tupperware like it's going out of style. Besides the fact I tend to hoard storage containers, often washing and rinsing used cottage cheese and yogurt tubs, I find it extremely helpful to organize my food this way. 

That's why I'm so excited to share with you these adorable little containers by MIRA brand. When asked to review this product, I thought to myself, Sure, I can always use more tupperware. What I didn't expect was for them to be so stinkin' cute!

Other reasons I like these containers include:

• They are made of 18/8 food-grade stainless steel
• The lids are non-toxic, made of LDPE number 4 plastic
• They are BPA-free, Phthalate-free, PVC-free and Lead-free (Yay for free!)
•  They are completely washable and reusable
• They help you to control your portion sizes

To be honest, when I first saw how small the containers were, I thought, What am I going to put in here? And after that, I thought, Dang, do I eat really big portions or are these just really small?

Yes, they are small containers, but they have served me well in the past week:

• Vitamins on-the-go
• Protein powder
• Pre-workout powder
• Salad dressing

I can think of many other ways to use these little containers too, like:

• Hummus
• Perfectly-portioned nuts
• Peanut butter or almond butter
• Small snacks for kids

Be sure to leave a comment below and/or tweet this article out with my handle in the tweet (@amberdobecka) for your chance to win your own pair of super-cute containers.

Also, I just wanted to update you on my workout plans for the next couple of months. I've started doing more lifting and even more HIIT cardio training. HIIT cardio includes high intensity interval training, of which most of you know I'm a huge fan. 

Look out for more posts on workouts and other fitness inspiration to come.

Work Your Body with Only Your Body

CC Photo by David Joyce

Who said you have to have tons of exercise equipment to get a full body workout? Some days I do not feel like going to the gym, or some days, my schedule simply does not allow me to make it there. On those days, I often do my own workout either at home or outside. I'll often cram these workouts into my schedule early in the mornings before I go to work or take a break from my office on my lunch break.

You can do this too. Focusing on a workout outside of the gym forces you to get creative, especially if you don't want to run or bike. One of my favorite ways to achieve a full body workout, including strength and cardio exercises, is to grab my weight-lifting gloves (to protect the skin on my hands), a water bottle and my iPhone (or other music).

Believe it or not, that's all you need to make sure you get a complete workout in 30-45 minutes. Okay, maybe a good attitude too.

I like to break my body-weight workouts down to 4-6 phases depending on the number of activities I do in each phase. I always include cardio in each phase, and usually a hi/lo activity in each phase, so that I can easily keep my heart rate up, working anaerobically.

Also, note that it's better to warm up with the specific exercises you'll be doing in each phase rather than static stretching (what you should do post-workout) or aerobic activities (like walking on a treadmill, which is also good post-strength-workout). 

Long-form stretching actually puts your muscles at rest, and you don't want your muscles to be in a state of rest right before you start your workouts. Aerobic cardio will actually deplete your energy levels of all the quick energy sources you have available (like carbohydrates and sugar), which are best used anaerobically through quick, fast-twitch moves (see below). That's why it's important to do your strength training before your long-form cardio, so that your body will be depleted of it's anaerobic energy sources and be prepped for fat-burning energy. It all works out!

When completing a body-weight workout, I'd suggest finding a park or even a shopping center where you have various terrain. I always look for a place that has a good spot for me to do sprints, walking lunges, a wall or bench for step-up's, etc. You may even have all these things in your back yard. Think outside of the box, and don't be afraid of what people will think.

If people watch you, and they will, it's most likely because they are thinking, "Dang, they're really working it!"

Warm-Up

• 50 jumping jacks
• 25 push-ups (on knees if you need to)
• 20 squats
• 20 alternating lunges
• 25 tricep dips

Phase 1:

• walking lunges (alternating each leg) down a path
• sprint back
• 25 push-ups
• 25 mountain climbers
• Repeat 2-3 times

Phase 2: 

• 30 alternating step-ups (find a bench or a wall or a ledge that comes to at least your knees)
• 50 plie squats (alternate lifting heels off ground for extra burn)
• 20 inch worms (walk hands out into a bridge, then walk feet up to meet your hands in a pike)
• Jog a loop for 2-3 minutes
• Repeat 2-3 times

Phase 3:

• reverse walking lunges (alternating each leg) down a path
• sprint back
• 20 burpees (squat down, jump your legs out into a bridge, quickly bring them back in and jump up)
• 50 bicycle crunches
• Repeat 2-3 times

Phase 4:

• 30 scissor lunges (right lunge, jump, left lunge)
• 20 bridge-to-planks (start in a push-up position or bridge, drop to your elbows, one arm at a time, and then push back up)
• 50 ski jumps (like jump roping but side-to-side)
• 15 v-ups 
• Repeat 2-3 times

Cool Down:

• jog or walk for 5 minutes
• stretch
• breathe

Feel free to take this as a guide to your own workout. You can always reduce the number of reps you do, or even go through just a couple of phases. Adapt this workout to your own personal needs, and you'll be on your way to achieving your weight loss goals. Or, you'll have a new workout to spice up your exercise routine. If you're like me, I'm always looking for new ways to get movin' and groovin'. :)

A 10-Minute Craft to Inspire Healthy Eating

I recently made the switch to use all wooden cooking utensils (spatulas, spoons, ladles, etc.). After some brief research, I decided that using these wooden spoons is another step closer to achieving maximum health for me and my family.

There are several reasons I made the switch to using these wooden spoons.

• They were cheap
• They are naturally anti-bacterial
• They don't stick to the food
• They don't scratch the pans
• They don't get hot
• They are BPA-free
• They are easy to wash

However, to be honest, the main reason I decided to switch over to wooden spoons is because I had this great idea (which is probably not as original as I first believed) to decorate them.

I used a marker to write some of the fruits of the spirit on the handles of the spoons. I made sure to write the word on both sides of the handle, and then I placed them nicely in a mason jar, where they sit on my kitchen counter.

Instead of tucking them away in a drawer, setting them out in sight reminds me to use them and inspires me to cook more. Picking out my spoon and using it to make eggs for breakfast or ladle out a spoonful of soup at night simply tickles my heart. It's the little things, right?

You can buy a sack of wooden spoons at your local grocery store anywhere from $6-10, but I found some cheaper bundles at Ross. This little craft literally took me 10 minutes, tops, and I hummed and decorated and played with them while my husband studied for his exam.

Do you have any other little crafts that inspire you to be healthy? Please share your ideas in the comments below!

You Have to Suffer to Look Good

As I sit here and look for blogs about Lent for FaithVillage and the upcoming Easter celebration, I'm reminded of the most grandiose sacrifice of all time. I've never been one to engage in traditional Lenten practices, and whether that was out of inconvenience or lack of knowledge, I'm considering why I should be motivated to embrace suffering.

It's easy to welcome spring with colorful egg hunts and family get-together's, but I often find myself missing the meaning behind Easter Sunday. In one day, we try to celebrate it all:

Jesus' death and resurrection, the Easter bunny and the pretty spring days to come. 

Today, I'm trying to anticipate that day, so that it doesn't pass by too quickly. So that I don't wake up the next morning ready for summer and bikinis and sun tans, but that I can meditate on the very real suffering Jesus went through for my sake.

While I'm a little late in the game to take up Lent and make my own "sacrifice," I feel like I'm beginning to better understand, maybe even enter a new level of understanding, of just how much God loves me. How much God loves you. Yes, Jesus' resurrection on Easter Sunday is a miracle, and a promise, but it's the few days before his death that are really getting to me ... His suffering.

In no way do I want to minimize Jesus' suffering, and maybe this is just God's way of molding his promise into a picture I can easily grasp, but the message behind Easter can be compared to how we are motivated to lead a healthy and whole lifestyle.

I don't kick my own butt in the gym everyday just so I can have sore muscles ... or even just to look good (like I've said before). I put myself through hours of training and conditioning because it makes me well in my soul.

The discipline of establishing a healthy lifestyle is as much spiritual as it is physical. 

In honor of Easter and Jesus' suffering, I ask you to search your heart and discover why you do or do not go to the gym, eat right or live well. Why are you motivated?

If you can't come up with anything other than these common answers:

• Summer is right around the corner, and I want to look good in my swimsuit.
• My girlfriend makes me go with her.
• I'm scared I'm going to get fat.
• People on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter keep posting their workouts, and I want to be like them.
• The girls on Pinterest's health and fitness pins are freaking hot!

Then dig a little deeper.

These reasons are not bad reasons for wanting to get healthy, but to sustain that kind of lifestyle, I promise you, there has to be more. 

I suffer because it's honorable. Because Jesus suffered for me, and I value the body he so graciously allows me to wake up with every day. Because suffering humbles me. It speaks to my soul. It's during some of my toughest workouts or longest runs that I'm moved beyond words and have to stop to cry.

Suffering is like peeling back the layers of of my flesh that reflect my worldly desires and sin.  

As we get nearer to Easter, I encourage you to reflect on your own view of suffering and how it relates to your goals for living a healthy life. 

What do you think?

A February Fete

Last week, my friends at Cascade Ice treated me and a guest to a night of pampering. I invited my mom to go with me, and we had a blast. Below is the recap of the night from event representatives. 

Photo by Emilia Gaston

Cocktails, manicures, blow-outs and more! It was a night to be pampered last Thursday evening at Frederic Fekkai Salon, where Cascade Ice sparkling water hosted a February Fête.

Guests were treated to complimentary hair, nail and makeup services by the friendly and experienced staff of Frederic Fekkai salon – enjoying a first-class night of beauty! The Fekkai manicurist Joey does Brittany Spears' nails. Before the beauty began, each guest sampled the zero-calorie sparkling flavored waters and skinny cocktails by Cascade Ice. 

Cascade Ice is ZERO calories and also free of sugar, gluten, sodium and carbohydrates. They're quite delicious too. Guests' favorite flavors of the evening included Coconut, Lemonade and the Margarita. The beverage is available for purchase in Dallas at Albertson's, Sprouts, Kroger & Market Street Supermarkets.

Guests received fabulous parting gifts: Frederic Fekkai shampoo and conditioner and samples of Cascade Ice to enjoy!

Cocktails by Cascade | Basically Guilt-Free Drinks

Living a healthy and fulfilling lifestyle doesn't mean you have to be the person hiding at the party, sipping on water in a dixie cup (don't be offended because this has so been me before). One of my personal mantra's is to embrace life with the idea that everything is better in moderation. Really though, even if it's spinach, you eat too much of it, and it could harm your body.

There's nothing wrong with enjoying a cocktail with friends, and thankfully, there are several healthier options available for you to make those cocktails almost guilt-free (there's always a little bit of guilt associated with alcohol, isn't there — haha).

In this post, I'll present to you healthier drink options that you can make at home. My friends at Cascade Ice sent me a cute red box full of sparkling water mixers that are absolutely perfect for making light cocktails. Granted, I tried them all straight out of the bottle, and they taste delicious by themselves, so these could be an alternative to other fruity drinks or juices. Before I they contacted me, I hadn't heard of Cascade Ice, but a few days later, I noticed several flavors available at Kroger. You can also find them in other major retailers like Wal-Mart, Albertson's and Safeway.

Here are some ways they are different than other products out there:

• Zero-calorie and sugar-free
• Caffeine-free
• Sodium-free
• Gluten-free
• Carb-free
• Artificial-anything-free

A girlfriend and I enjoyed the Cosmopolitan one night, and we both approved. As an avid diet cranberry and vodka drinker, I found this cocktail to be super easy, and tasty.

The next one I want to try is one of their Va-Va-Voom Valentine's Day cocktails called Ice Love Potion, which is made with Cherry-Guava Blueberry Cascade Ice and gin. Ummm, yes please!

I encourage you to check out their blog, where they post tips for creating new and fresh cocktails and other fruity drinks, plus visit their Recipes page to find out more.

If you want to learn more about Cascade Ice, visit their website, like them on Facebook or follow them on Twitter. 

Seriously Good Spaghetti

If you haven't jumped on the band wagon for "clean eating," you still have time. If you're hesitating because you can't imagine a life without bread or pasta or comfort food, I encourage you to reconsider. My diet is full of whole foods and clean eating, but I've learned to not let it consume me or prevent me from having a thriving social life.

In case you're still not sold, just humor me and try out this easy, cheap and delicious recipe as an alternative to the traditional spaghetti. Why do us Americans like spaghetti so much? For my family (growing up as one of four kids), spaghetti was a quick meal to make in less than 30 minutes, and it fed all six of us (and the occasional neighborhood kids) for under $10, plus left-overs.

You can make the same cheap and easy meal a healthier way — like way healthier. Here's what you need.

Ingredients:

• 1 spaghetti squash 
• 1/2 cup bell peppers (assorted colors if you want)
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 can tomato paste (small can)
• 2 cloves garlic (or garlic powder to taste)
• Salt and pepper (to taste)
• Extra veggies (broccoli, zucchini, carrots, etc.) *optional
• 1 lb. extra-lean ground turkey (or beef) *optional

Consider the size of the squash before you buy one. An average-sized squash will probably feed four normal adults. But also note that this recipe makes great left-overs, so if you want to have something to munch on all week, buy a bigger squash.

Directions:

1. With a decent-size knife, cut the squash in half and scrape out the seeds and nasty looking stuff in the center using a fork.
2. Place both halves open-side-up on cookie tray in the oven. 
3. Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes.
4. While that's baking, sautée the turkey in a pan at medium-high heat.
5. Once the turkey* has no sign of raw meat going on, add the onion, garlic and bell peppers, and other veggies* and turn heat to low-medium.
6. When everything's pretty much cooked through, add tomatoes and tomato paste to same pan, and let it simmer until your squash is done.
7. When squash is a little brown on the top, remove it from the oven and set aside to cool for about 10 minutes.
8. Lastly, use your fork to scrape the sides of the squash into a big serving bowl (or eat it right out of the flesh of the squash). Add salt, pepper and a little butter (if you want).
9. Pour meat sauce on top of the squash and thoroughly mix it all together.
10. Enjoy!

Let me know how yours turns out in the comments. :)

Plantains | How Do You Cook Them?

Plantains are those giant banana-looking things in the produce section of your grocery store. Most people are unfamiliar with the various health benefits plantains provide, like fiber, calcium, beta-carotene and Vitamin C. They are also lower in sugar than bananas, which means they fall lower on the Glycemic Index (which is good). 

Because plantains offer such good nutrients and vitamins, adding them to your diet can help improve your skin, hair and nails, as well as help strengthen your immune system. Other benefits of plantains include the reduction of inflammation and the regulation of women's menstrual cycles. 

So how do you cook them?

While I'm still experimenting with different ways to cook these sweet and savory fruits, I have two recipes to share with you. You should also note that plantains cooked in restaurants may be fried or sauteed in fatty or unhealthy oils and butter, so it's probably best to eat these at home.

For a savory side dish (or main dish if you want to add meat like I did), try pairing peeled, chopped plantains (1 plantain) with peeled, chopped butternut squash (about 1.5-2 cups). In my dish, I added some left-over extra-lean ground turkey (about 1 cup), and added chopped onions, garlic and Mrs. Dash chipotle lime seasoning.  

I mixed all of this together with about a tablespoon of extra-virgin olive oil and popped it in the oven for a couple of hours at 275 degrees. I had it cooking while I was at the gym, but I'm sure they'd cook up just fine in less than an hour if you increased the heat to 350-375 degrees. I'm telling you, this fiesta-style entree is absolutely delicious, and practically melts in your mouth!

The other way I like to eat plantains is the sweet way. Now, this is probably the kind of treat you'd need to beware of in restaurants. Instead of frying them, I peeled and chopped another plantain (along with half a green apple, shown above) and spread them in a small dish, on which I smeared coconut oil. I sprinkled them with brown sugar (about 1 Tbsp), stevia, cinnamon, and then drizzled some raw, unfiltered, local honey on top of all that delicious-ness. After baking at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes (or until softened), these plantains make for a healthy yet decadent dessert.

Let me know if you try these out! 

What Makes a Man Sexy? (A.K.A. How to Turn On a Woman)

Women are deep. We’re complicated and sometimes, that can come off as being high-maintenance. We just want a guy to tell us we are captivating. That we are beautiful. That we are worth fighting for.

It’s our deepest desire: to be pursued by men. Unfortunately, the fall of man twisted that around and now it’s our biggest struggle: to keep a man pursuing her and not chase him.

Although I feel like it’s biblical for a man to pursue a woman, it’s also a woman’s responsibility to entice a man. Read what guys said was the best way to do that in a previous post, “What Makes a Woman Sexy.”

This time, I asked 15 women what they find sexy in a man, and boy, did they have a lot to say.

When You Can Tell Who They Are on the Inside

The first quality that most women suggested had to do with how a man treats a woman. When a man can balance his respect for a woman (through honest and real communication) and knowing how (and when) to flirt with her, he can call himself a stud. Girls like guys to use their words. Tell her she’s beautiful, that she’s intriguing, that she’s talented, yada yada yada ….

Another biggie is spontaneity. Personally, I think that a man who doesn’t fear the future has grit. He has faith. He has guts.

Two more qualities appeared in the answers of multiple women, and quite honestly, these two are probably the biggest turn-on’s for me: humility and passion.

A guy has no idea how sexy he is when he lacks arrogance and instead, blushes at a compliment or speaks highly of someone else. Hearing a guy give credit to another (and especially God) when He’s been blessed is equivalent to the ecstasy a man gets when a girl flashes him. Pair that with a raw, manly passion (in the gym, in the office, in bed, and in life in general), and suddenly, I’m smitten. I want him. I’ve got to have him.

When They Display Modern-day Chivalry

A guy doesn’t have to show up on your doorstep with a sword and horse-driven carriage (although I’ve had friends who have done that), but having a servant's heart will take you far.

Being chivalrous means you are a leader. You’re fearless. You open doors for others, speak politely, and don’t eat like a pig. It means you help with house chores (without asking for the most part). You appreciate women and want to fight for them.

However, protecting a woman and fighting for her can also look like a guy who is confident enough to talk to a woman and share his thoughts with her. Or, even a guy who takes charge, grabs a girl’s hand and leads her down the aisle at church (or into the club).

One woman said it’s sexy when men do “‘guy things’ like airing up my tires and hanging pictures.” I could not agree more. There’s value in having your man take you shopping or watching a “chick-flick” with you, but one of the sexiest things about a man is just that — his manliness.

Do I want to wake up at 3 a.m. to hunt, gut a pig, and skip bathing for 3 or more days? No. Do I think it’s okay for men? Sure.

Knowing that a man can take care of himself without a mother (a role in which no woman should play to the man whom with she sleeps) is one of the biggest turn-on’s. (Note that this is totally different from a man valuing and loving his mother.)

When They Try to Look Good

One of the biggest misconceptions about “hotness” is that a person has to fit a certain mold. Just like most guys answered last time, women agreed that a man’s “hotness” is bumped up a notch by simply trying.

To me, seeing a guy in the gym automatically puts them above Joe Schmoe outside (unless he’s exercising outdoors — hah). When a guy is trying to look good, it tells a girl he’s willing to pursue her, to fight for her, to impress her — because she is desirable. (I know … That’s pretty deep, huh?)

“If they’re willing to let their appearances go, then chances are, they aren’t too worried about what you think of them either.” — B

Women want to be pursued, and if they feel like a guy doesn’t care what she thinks, she won’t feel like that guy desires her. Active and healthy lifestyles show women that a guy cares about his future, that he cares about being there for his family as he ages.

When They Try

It can be as easy as taking note of a woman’s likes and dislikes. One girl’s first response to my question said sexy is “a man who still wears cologne even when he’s been married a few years because he knows how much his wife loves that smell.”

Lounging in the recliner, playing X-box, and watching someone else work is unacceptable, one woman says. One of the simplest things a man can do is just ask if someone needs help.

Also, the flirtation shouldn’t stop just because you’ve been with a girl for a couple years, and it still shouldn’t stop when you’ve been married for 20. Brief moments of tenderness and vulnerability are invaluable to a woman. Always say, “I love you” and kiss your girl goodbye. Send her the occasional sweet texts just because you’re thinking about her. You will not be disappointed. (Ladies, don’t take this stuff for granted.)

The Deal-Breaker

A relationship with God is key, no matter what your gender. It doesn’t matter where you are in your spiritual walk as long as you’re trying to walk with God. We’ve all got issues and hang-ups and things about our past that make it hard for us to connect with others, but the most important thing to consider is whether a man has welcomed God’s presence on his path or if he’s doing it alone.

Girls, you cannot change a man. Stop chasing after guys trying to change them (we’ve all done it).

A man has to be a leader. It’s a man’s responsibility to initiate in order to protect his family. A woman has to respect her man and allow him to fulfill his God-given role (and that’s a separate struggle), but a man must engage her emotionally, physically and spiritually.

What did I miss? I appreciate your comments!

What I Eat for Lunch

When you work in an office with access to a microwave and fridge, you really have no excuse for eating unhealthy. To help give you some ideas on how to take your healthy habits to the kitchen — your company kitchen, that is, I've recorded what I ate for lunch last week.

By no means, do I eat the same thing everyday. Actually, it's rare that I eat the same thing two weeks in a row! One of the best ways to ensure you bring a healthy lunch to work is that you make it at home. If you're making healthy dinners, then it's super simple to make a little extra and have left-overs.

I tend to go ahead and pack my lunch for the next day while I'm cooking dinner. "Left-overs for Lunch" just make me happy. If for some reason, I don't bring left-overs, I usually keep a few staples that are just as satisfactory.

These are some things I normally keep on hand with which I pack my lunches:

• Deli turkey or ham
• Corn tortillas
• Fresh fruit (what's in season)
• Sugar-free yogurt (both greek and regular)
• Fat-free cottage cheese
• Salad
• Organic rice cakes
• Fresh veggies and hummus
• Hard-boiled eggs

On Monday, I mixed left-over brown rice with a black bean relish I made over the weekend and topped it over a salad. This fiesta salad also had sliced avocados, feta cheese and a some low-fat dressing. Combining the rice and beans makes a complete protein, so there's really no need for a meat, unless you just really want some. If you do, I'd suggest, adding some lean chicken breast or extra-lean ground turkey or beef.

I paired this salad with a greek yogurt with blueberries on the bottom and green tea.

I enjoyed left-over spaghetti squash, adorned with homemade marinara sauce and extra-lean ground turkey on Tuesday. Many of you have probably seen this simple recipe for a spaghetti alternative.

Since my husband doesn't like tomato sauce, I usually have enough left over to last me a few days. The spaghetti includes the squash, tomato sauce, bell peppers and extra-lean ground turkey. It's a good helping of veggies — that's for sure.

A "cutie" and a greek yogurt make this lunch complete.

On Wednesday, I got to eat something rather unique for me. I'd never made enchiladas before, but I always envy the people who order them at Mexican restaurants. So, I thought I'd try to make them the healthy way at home.

The night before, I made spinach enchiladas. Using corn tortillas (at only 110 calories for 2), sauteed spinach, onion and garlic, a can of enchilada sauce (mostly just seasoned tomato sauce), and a mixture of fat-free and low-fat grated cheese, I'd call this experiment a huge success.

I paired a couple of left-over spinach enchiladas with a mixed green salad topped with fat-free feta cheese, walnuts, blackberries*, and fat-free raspberry vinaigrette.

*Blackberries are in season right now. I've seen them on sale multiple places for only $1/carton.

Thursday morning I ate some of my protein pancakes for breakfast, so I wanted to lay low on the carbs at lunch. I also decided to include some of my staple items.

I made a big thing of tuna salad last weekend. I actually bought the humongous can of all-white albacore tuna fish from Walmart ($12). I went ahead and mixed in all the tuna salad ingredients right when I got home, so that it would be ready to eat. Tuna salad will last practically forever in your fridge, and it's a nutritious go-to snack or meal. I used about 2 whopping tablespoons of low-fat mayo (made with olive oil), half a jar of pickle relish, half an onion, an apple, celery salt, salt and pepper. You can play with the different ingredients depending on your taste. This salad will last me 2-3 weeks if I eat it two or three times each week.

Along with my tuna salad, I ate about half a cup of fat-free cottage cheese, another protein-rich food. Chopped fruit like oranges, grapes, strawberries and kiwis make for a good little dessert to this low-carb lunch. (Note: Chopping up your fruit helps fool your eyes into thinking you're eating more than you really are.)

I worked from home on Friday, and I forgot to take a picture of my lunch. Basically, I snacked on several items for my lunch. About two hours before my lunch-hour run, I ate a mashed-up banana with some of my healthy peanut butter. After my run, I ate an apple and about three ounces of lean turkey breast with mustard. Again, these items are staples in my diet.

Later on, I ate a protein bar, which is not a clean food item, but my approach to a clean food diet is not legalistic. I live a very active lifestyle, on-the-go all the time. As awesome as it would be to never put a chemically-altered or artificial ingredient in my body, it's not realistic for my lifestyle. Of course, I try to eat clean the majority of the time, but I have to have grace for myself.

I hope this post helps you add some variety to your diet and make your lunchtime a little bit better. Let me know what you think in the comments.